Driving sprocket



Dec. 1 5, 1931. F. E. DAVIS 1,336,706

DRIVING SPROCKET Filed Feb. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 15, 1931. F. E. DAVIS DRIVING SPROCKET Filed Feb. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 through a universal joint.

Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE FLOYD E. DAVIS, OF ALLEN'IOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL MOTOR COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE DRIVING srnooxn'r Application filed February 9, 1929. Serial No. 338,659.

This invention relates to a means for mounting a sprocketon a shaft with capacity for universal movement between the sprockct and shaft. More especially, this invention is concerned with asprocket mounted on the jack shaft of a chain driven motor vehicle by means of a universal joint.

lVhen such a vehicle is driven over rough roads and a driving wheel strikes a bump there is atwisting'of thechain with the result that stretching or breaking thereof may be caused. In order to always have the driving and driven sprockets which carry the chain in alignment, to avoid these disadvantages, it has been found that the driving sprocket may be driven from the jack shaft Thus the length of life of the chains used on such vehicles is greatly prolonged and twisting is prevented.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View of the face of the sprocket and its universal mounting partly broken away to show the details of the mounting.

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on lines 22 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 shows, as another embodiment of the invention, the face of the sprocket and means for mounting the sprocket through a universal joint.

Figure 4 is a view in section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, a sprocket is illustrated at a and a hollow jack shaft at b. The means for mounting the sprocket on the shaft comprises a piece 0 of generally annular shape, formed to receive bushings c in which short trunnions I c are journaled. The sprocket is carried with the annular part 0 by means of the diametrically extending trunnions c and is thereby enabled to turn about its verticaldiameter of Figure 1. The annular part 0 is, in turn, carried with a second annular piece 03 by means of bushings d and diametrically extending trunnions d at 90 from the trunnions 0 so that the annular piece a is capable of rotation about the horizontal diameter of Figure 1. The trunnions d are retained in place by part 6 which fits within the hollow jack shaft 6. Thus as the shaft turns the sprocket is capable of universal movement with respect thereto.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 there is shown at a a sprocket and v at b a jack. shaft having a fin f and a circular flange 9 whose outer surface is convex. On the flange there is mounted the sprockets composed of two parts a and a whose inner surfaces are concave to conform to the surface of the flange, said parts being joined by bolts b. On the inner side of the part a of the sprocket'is a fin is and the 90 thereto there is a similar fin-f carried on the jack shaft. Cooperating with the two fins is a cylindrical floating member 91 having diametrically opposed slots on and n in which the fins fit. The slots are so formed that the fins are capable of sliding therein; that is, the slots are somewhat deeper than the depth of the fin. In this way, the sprocket is capable of universal movement with respect to the shaft. Suitable means for oiling the joint is shown at p. The oil inserted at p can then circulate all through the joint.

The present invention is concerned broadly with the provision of a sprocket of such construction as to be capable of universal movement with respect to its shaft and is not limited to the means for aflording this universal movement. Of course where the ack shaft carries two sprockets driving two chains, both of the sprockets should be of the improved form. This invention is not to be limited, save as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described comprising a sprocket, a driving shaft, an annular carrier trunnioned within the sprocket,

trunnions, and a retaining plug in the shaft to position the trunnions.

2. A device of the character described comprising a sprocket, a driving shaft, an annular carrier trunnioned Within the sprocket, trunnions for mounting the carrier on the shaft, apertures in the carrier extending radially therethrough, bushings in the apertures formed with closed outer ends to prevent the trunnions from being removed through the carrier, flanges on the bushings engaging the inner face of the carrier, apertures in the shaft communicating with a hollow portion of the shaft, and a retaining plug in the hollow portion to position the trunnions.

This specification signed this first day of Feb. A. D. 1929.

FLOYD E. DAVIS. 

